U.S. Trade in May Shows Significant Annual Growth
By MacKenzie C. Babb
Staff Writer
Washington - U.S. exports in May reached $183.1 billion, bringing total
exports for the first five months of 2012 to $908.7 billion - a 5.7 percent, or
$48.6 billion, increase from the same period in 2011, according to a new
Commerce Department report.
"U.S. exports posted their second-highest level on record in May despite
some tough economic conditions abroad, confirming the progress we are making on
the path to achieving the president's goal of doubling exports by the end of
2014," Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank said in a July 11 statement
following the report's release. "We are on track toward exceeding last year's
export total of $2.1 trillion, which supported 9.7 million jobs."
She said continuing to grow U.S. exports will remain critical to supporting
job creation and boosting the country's economic recovery.
The international trade report, issued by the Census Bureau and Bureau of
Economic Analysis, showed export growth for the month was driven by record
figures in total services ($52.4 billion) and foods, feeds and beverages ($11.8
billion). Capital goods and business, professional and technical services also
saw an increase in May.
While exports grew during the month by 0.2 percent, imports dropped $1.6
billion from April to $231.8 billion.
This decrease in imports reflected decreases in industrial supplies and
materials, consumer goods, and foods, feeds and beverages. Minor increases
occurred in capital goods; automotive vehicles, parts and engines; other goods;
and private services.
The trade deficit for May decreased to $48.7 billion from the previous
month's total of $50.6 billion.
The deficit increased by $1 billion from May 2011 to May 2012, with exports
up by $7.4 billion, or 4.2 percent, and imports up $8.4 billion, or 3.8
percent.
The latest figures show surpluses with Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and
Egypt. Deficits were recorded with China, the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC), the European Union, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Ireland,
Canada, South Korea, Venezuela, Nigeria and Taiwan.
(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs,
U.S. Department of State.)
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